Spartanburg Vikings hope 'Bells' ring true

Wednesday

Sep 12, 2012 at 12:01 AM

The Spartanburg High School marching band is ringing in a new season with its show, “The Bells.”

By LEE G. HEALYlee.healy@shj.com

The Spartanburg High School marching band is ringing in a new season with its show, “The Bells.”Director Aaron Gantt said it's a simple concept with a dramatic effect.“It's really just about what bells symbolize throughout your lifetime,” Gantt explained. “What different things bells are used for. It's something that everybody should be able to get.”Bells will be incorporated into all elements of the show, from the tiny bells jingling from color guard rifles to the large fiberglass bell that will be a focal point on the field. The 150-member band will even march into the formation of a bell during the performance.The music itself, arranged by assistant director John McAlister, is a tribute to bells. Songs include Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's “1812 Overture,” “Farandole” by Georges Bizet, “Rest” by Frank Ticheli and the classic “Carol of the Bells.”“People are really going to like the fact that they know the tunes,” Gantt said. “They'll be able to recognize our music and hum along.”Junior Dillon Smith, who plays alto saxophone, said he likes every element of this year's show.“We're doing a lot more than we have in the past, and we just keep adding on,” said Smith, 16. “Every practice there's something more that we do. It's a whole lot harder than any show we've ever done. The music is harder, and the marching is more intense.”Jesse Hayes, a junior flute player, said the show is the “best one yet.”“Being all about bells, it's very dramatic at times. It's pretty at times and really loud at times,” said Hayes, 16. “It's really cool.”

Gantt said the band is continuing to build on the successes of prior years and looks forward to the four in-state competitions on the calendar this season. But beyond performances, Gantt said teamwork and cooperation are as much a part of the marching band as the music.“I want to be better every time we're out. I want the kids to understand what it takes to work together as a team,” Gantt said. “It really is probably one of the best bands we've had here in quite some time. The kids are rehearsing well. They're strong.”